Three new Kawasaki VN1700 cruisers

KAWASAKI has taken the wraps off the 2009 bikes including the new ZX-6R, ER6-f and ER6-n, three new cruisers and a new KLX250 enduro-style machine.

Full details are in the September 24 issue of MCN.

Kawasaki has overhauled its range of big-capacity V-twin cruisers with the launch of three new VN1700 models all sharing a new more powerful 1700cc engine.

The three new models are the VN1700 Voyager – Kawasaki’s first V-Twin “full-dress” tourer features all the comfort features, equipment and optional accessories necessary for long-distance touring, the VN1700 Classic Tourer which has cruise control, large windscreen, hard panniers, passenger floorboards and backrest and the traditionally-styled VN1700 Classic.

The new engine design is similar to that of the range-topping VN2000, but features a single overhead cam rather than overhead valve arrangement. The increase in displacement and long-stroke design give boosts to both torque and horsepower over the VN1600 models. New features include Kawasaki’s first fully electronic throttle valve system, a new six-speed transmission with overdrive and belt-drive like the VN2000 and VN900 models.

The Voyager gets a large front cowl and windshield, as well as leg shields for protection from the wind and elements.  There’s loads of storage in the rear mounted “trunk”, with hard panniers and two big gloveboxes up front giving extra places to pack touring necessities.Vital touring features like cruise control and a six-speed transmission with an overdrive gear are joined by Kawasaki’s latest innovative technology.

Other changes to the bikes include a lighter chassis which is more compact than that used on previous models. Kawasaki Advanced Coactive-braking Technology (K-ACT) means there is extra braking force applied automatically by the bike to give more stopping power.